Top 5 Best Mid-Range Smartphones in 2024

With holiday sales and price reductions as phone manufacturers prepare new models, now is a great time to purchase one of the best cheap phones. Almost all of the phones on this list have recently gone on sale (perhaps not the iPhone as much), so we’ll keep you updated if you find a good deal.

Every phone on this list has been reviewed by us, along with numerous others that weren’t quite good enough to suggest. You can be sure that we will only suggest the best low-cost phone that is also low-cost. In addition to the hundreds of phones I’ve reviewed, thegadgetex has evaluated over 1,000 phones overall, collaborating with Future Labs to ensure accurate testing and practical knowledge.

With holiday sales and price cuts as phone manufacturers prepare new models, now is an excellent time to buy one of the best low-cost phones. Almost all of the phones on this list have recently gone on sale (perhaps not as much as the iPhone), so we’ll keep you posted if you find a great deal.

QUICK LIST

Last update on 2024-12-29 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Mid-Range Smartphones in 2024

1.Xiaomi 14T Pro

Last update on 2024-12-29 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Xiaomi 14T Pro demonstrates that mid-range phones don’t have to miss out on the excitement of the AI phone era, which has officially arrived. Since Xiaomi hasn’t cut corners on the hardware in this most recent iteration of the T Pro models, the door is wider than ever for accessible and reasonably priced AI research.

However, Xiaomi hasn’t focused entirely on AI like many of the newest phones, and that’s for the better. The 14T Pro’s sleek aluminum frame and what Xiaomi refers to as a “3D curved back” are two examples of the innovative design that has been incorporated into the phone’s construction right out of the box. Together with these modifications, a historically sizable (if now a tad less obvious) camera bump, give the 14T Pro a superbly premium feel and weightiness in the hand.

Get it loaded up and frankly, AI is the last thing you’ll be thinking about. Xiaomi’s HyperOS is smoother than ever, and the continued priority given to the phone’s display and processing capabilities means you’d easily be fooled into thinking you’re handling a much more pricey device than it is.

Xiaomi’s AI initiatives are far more measured than those of companies like Google and Samsung, and to be fair, the information provided here is a decent place to start if you want to AI-ify your daily life. In terms of what is offered exclusively on its devices, Xiaomi has taken positive, albeit possibly cautious, steps in its own direction, even though it has undoubtedly added Android-wide features like Circle to Search and Gemini to the 14T Pro. But don’t worry, the Xiaomi 14T Pro is a more than capable scalpal to get started in the AI space.

You’re not likely to be dissatisfied with the Xiaomi 14T Pro, regardless of whether your focus is on artificial intelligence or some of the other more essential innovations Xiaomi has made recently, like wireless charging. As always, you’ll probably be astonished by how much can be accomplished with a device whose price tag is significantly lower than that of its flagship competitors.

However, Xiaomi still restricts the markets in which it can operate, whether on purpose or not, which hurts the Xiaomi 14T Pro. Although the 14T Pro’s price is incredibly low, its lack of availability in America creates a market gap that companies like Samsung or OnePlus can gladly fill.

2.Google Pixel 8a

Last update on 2024-12-29 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The greatest low-cost choice for Android fans, and particularly Google devotees, is the Pixel 8a. If you’ve been dying to test out all of Google’s latest Android and Gemini AI features, the Pixel 8a is the most affordable way to get started in this virtual world. It also makes a strong case against the more expensive Pixel 8. A phone this inexpensive can have marginally better specs, but it lacks Google’s cutting-edge software and the seven years of promised software updates.

The Pixel 8a with Google’s premium AI and large language model, Gemini Advanced, performs on par with my Pixel 8 Pro. The same awesome AI wallpaper feature that I adore is available to me. Even my Gmail has Gemini built in.

If you plan to combine work and personal life on your phone, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 FE is a little more costly but offers a ton of business and professional features. Additionally, it lacks the newest AI features that the Pixel 8a (likely) will have, and it is a little too complicated.

If you plan to combine work and personal life on your phone, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 FE is a little more costly but offers a ton of business and professional features. Additionally, it lacks the newest AI features that the Pixel 8a (likely) will have, and it is a little too complicated.

This is fantastic news because the Pixel 8a uses the most recent Tensor G3 chipset and receives the same seven years of Android updates that Google promised for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. The two less expensive Pixel 8 phones have the same amount of RAM and storage as the Pro model, but the Pro model has more.

Unless you require a better camera or you truly like the colors of the Pixel 8, you might just save money and purchase the Pixel 8a instead of the Pixel 8. However, that is the sole justification for spending more money on the Pixel 8. The Pixel 8a will likely make you just as happy, and you’ll be even happier when you have extra cash to spend on accessories and cases.

The Pixel 8a fulfills your desire for a more adorable, curved Pixel 8 model. Although it has the same appearance as all other Pixel phones since the Pixel 6, that is part of the brand’s identity. Compared to the camera bump on most other phones, I actually like the camera bar’s symmetry.

The Pixel 8a boasts rounded corners and a variety of eye-catching color choices, such as my review sample’s brighter-than-expected Aloe green, which is a welcome change from the Pixel 8’s more muted Mint green.Although the back is made of plastic rather than glass, the matte finish and vibrant colors give it a far more upscale appearance than the unsightly plastic phones of the past. The Pixel 8a is in; glossy plastic is out.

3.Poco F6 Pro

Last update on 2024-12-29 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

In our test device, the Poco flagship is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 16 GB of RAM. With 1 TB UFS 4.0, the memory is likewise ample. The memory cannot be expanded, though. The F6 Pro does not support eSIM, but it does support two physical SIM cards. The smartphone has an IR blaster that can be used to make it a remote control and NFC for wireless payments. Similar to the predecessor, wireless charging is no longer supported.

Regretfully, only USB 2.0 is supported by the USB-C port. Using a Samsung 980 Pro hard drive, we were able to transfer data at a rate of 47.05 MB/s. The F6 Pro supports NTFS and exFAT and is USB OTG compatible.Android 14 comes pre-installed on the Poco F6 Pro. At the time of testing, the security patch was from July 2024. Xiaomi claims that the device will likely receive two significant Android version updates and security updates for four years.

HyperOS 1.0.5 operates in accordance with the Poco’s user interface, which is derived from the parent company Xiaomi. There is an optional app launcher. Ex works has a lot of third-party apps installed, but they are easily uninstallable.

AI capabilities are among the Poco F6’s unique features, though they weren’t completely functional during testing. AI is supposed to enable the smartphone to show subtitles automatically, but at the moment, this is only feasible in a beta version, which requires a separate registration.The situation is different with the “AI image engine”. The resolution of videos can be scaled up by AI, as can the calculation of additional images for smoother videos. Videos can also be edited afterwards with HDR effects. These functions can already be activated, but AI image enhancement appears in the settings but cannot be selected.

4.iPhone 15

Last update on 2024-12-29 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The iPhone 15 is a compelling upgrade thanks to subtle changes, the majority of which are under the hood. The base model has a modified design, new display tools, a noticeable performance boost, and a good set of cameras at an unbeatable price, even though it lacks the wow factor of the Pro models. With its combination of cutting-edge features and exceptional performance, the larger 15 Pro Max ultimately wins our Editors’ Choice award for advancing the iPhone line. However, the iPhone 15 offers a comparatively comparable experience in a smaller form factor at a significantly lower cost.

The iPhone 15 is a straightforward, well-designed phone that has reached middle age (for a phone). The aluminum frame’s slightly curved edges where it joins the front and rear glass panels are the main distinction from the iPhone 14. It is a nicer device to use day in and day out because the joints are a little softer all around rather than forming sharp right angles. Apple changed the available options to matte Black and pastel shades of Blue, Green, Pink, or Yellow and used a novel technique to infuse color directly into the rear glass.

The phone weighs 6.02 ounces and has dimensions of 5.81 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches (HWD), making it 0.05 ounces lighter and 0.03 inches taller than the iPhone 14. The larger, but otherwise comparable, iPhone 15 Plus weighs 7.09 ounces and measures 6.33 by 3.06 by 0.31 inches. The more powerful, but similarly sized, iPhone 15 Pro weighs 6.6 ounces and measures 5.77 by 2.78 by 0.32 inches. The closest Android device is the Samsung Galaxy S23, which weighs 6.9 ounces and measures 5.8 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches. The Pixel 7 weighs 6.9 ounces and measures 6.1 by 2.9 by 0.3 inches.

The iPhone 15 has outstanding build quality, as one might anticipate. The external components are securely put together. Apple covers the battery with textured matte glass and shields the display with its proprietary Ceramic Shield. According to the company, its glass is more robust than the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus or Victus+ found on the Pixel 7 or Galaxy S23. The phone has an IP68 certification, which protects it from water and dust. Most devices in this price range have the same rating, meaning they can withstand a 30-minute submersion in water up to 18 feet deep. The phone is still a little slick even with the matte back panel, so you’ll be better off using a protective case.

The fantastic Action button found on the Pro models is absent from the iPhone 15. Rather, it retains the ringer switch that has been a feature of all iPhones since 2007. Additionally, it retains the power/screen lock button on the right edge and the independent volume toggles beneath the ringer switch. All of the buttons are excellent in terms of feedback and travel.

There is no longer a proprietary Lightning port on the underside of the device. It has a USB-C port instead. This change is long overdue for some, but it might be a burden for those who have already invested in Lightning accessories. The iPhone is among the last Apple devices to switch to USB-C, although many others have already done so. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have limited support for USB 2.0.to data transfer speeds of 480Mbps. The 15 Pro and Pro Max get a speedier version of USB-C that supports data speeds up to 10Gbps, as well as advanced features such as direct video recording to external hard drives. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are able to use an Apple adapter for video mirroring and video out support up to 4K through DisplayPort-to-USB-C.

5.Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

Last update on 2024-12-29 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

A lot of box-ticking is going on in the mid-range phone market in 2024 if you’re looking to buy one. Fortunately, Samsung is a fairly reliable choice in this market, and the Samsung Galaxy A55, the company’s most recent model, is a serious contender to rank among the greatest low-cost phones available. Similar to its predecessor, it is a mid-range phone with a design that is on par with or even better than that of its flagship model.

Although it may not have all of the Galaxy S range’s expensive parts and cutting-edge features, the Galaxy A55 feels and looks like a high-end smartphone right out of the box and costs less than half as much as the devices at the top of our list of the best Samsung phones. Additionally, as it might be slightly sacrilegious, I think it’s even more attractive than the Samsung Galaxy S24.

The sleek and elegant design of the A55 has been retained, including the glossy rear glass that was a significant upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy A53. However, the Samsung Galaxy A55’s complete removal of plastic in favor of a new and remarkably elegant metal build is what distinguishes it from the Galaxy A54 and other mid-tier phones and gives it a premium feel.

Given that the A54’s already remarkable 6.4-inch display was upgraded to a 6.6-inch one, you might think that the A55 would be more difficult to hold than its predecessor. However, don’t dismiss the A55 as being too large right away. Although I must admit that I have big hands and used the Galaxy A54 without any problems, I discovered the A55’s aluminum frame distinctly easier to grip. As a happy side effect, this ensures its bigger Super AMOLED display isn’t tarnished by having to put your grubby fingerprints all over it to comfortably hold it.

That’s about the extent of the major talking points. With the same 50MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, and 5MP macro camera trio that we adored in our Samsung Galaxy A54 review, the Galaxy A55 won’t let you down in the photography department. Even though there is a slight learning curve to achieve the best results, the app is fast, the autofocus is quick, the photos and videos are detailed, and it does indeed perform well in low light conditions. The sole significant issue I discovered was that photographs taken in direct sunlight tended to be overexposed, producing hazy, unsaturated images.

The Galaxy A55’s new Exynos 1480 chipset allowed it to easily last me more than seven hours of screen time during my testing, even though it still had the same 5,000mAH battery as its predecessor. This includes normal use like social media, YouTube, light gaming, and sitting on the home screen while staring into space. Although it is unlikely to last the two days that Samsung claims, most users will find it to be sufficient. Although the battery life was excellent, the charging speed was slower than I would have preferred, and wireless charging was not an option to compensate.